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Saturday, August 28, 2010

One thing has become pretty clear this week and that's the onset of Autumn. Three days of solid, sheet rain and some brooding black clouds have brought a chill to the air and earlier in the week I made a trip to 'The Cupboard Upstairs' which now houses rather a nice collection of coats. This is thanks to buying them out of season and then over the course of Summer forgetting that I even owned them.

I was struck with a sense of cosy smugness when I was reunited with this camel raincape I bought from eBay and had subsequently forgotten. So much for all of that cooing over the Asos cape when this was hanging upstairs in all it's £9 glory. Did I mention it's reversible with a waterproof layer inside and camel fleece on the outside? And it has a hood? This might explain why I felt like a child who had been dressed for practical purpose by their parents when I wore it for drinks and bowling with friends. But I secretly quite liked that.

One of the downsides that comes with wearing a cape however is the handbag question. I tried carrying a tote swag bag style (just to really go the whole hog with feeling like a child dressed as a Superhero). I also managed to wear my usual handbag on my shoulder without the strap getting in the way but this just felt silly. There are always clutch bags but they don't seem daytime appropriate and I'm now thinking that going without a bag is a sensible option and actually quite liberating. I remember reading an article by Jess Carter-Morely in Vogue a year or so back in which she challenged herself to do Fashion Week bagless. Naturally, I don't have a personal assistant to carry my necessities like she did but I remember her emphasising the importance of pockets and how it feels rather nice to have a few of the essentials nestled deep down inside them with your arms free. And you know what you do with free arms? That's right, you swing them as you marvel at just how superb you feel without a bag and why didn't ou try this bafore and then- 'o-oh shit, I left my make up bag at home..'

21 comments:

I have also had the cape-handbag dilemma many a time and normally end up with a short handle handbag hanging from my forearm - ignoring all the health advice about how bad this is for you!

I love the liberation of running up an escalator bag-free with just a few essentials nestled in my pockets but, as you rightly point out, if you don't have time to put your make-up on at home, you're in trouble!

Beautiful cape. I attempted experimenting with a beautiful tweed one last autumn but the debilitated arms and handbag issues became too much for me to bear. I can imagine being bagless does come with a sort of liberation but I feel basically naked without..I admire your bravery!

ohhh lucky find indeed!! i love this camel coat trend because as soon as you put one on you're instantly at the height of fashion without even trying! your cape looks perfect! i've decided to avoid a camel coat though after trying lots on, my hair is a sort of camel colour too so it's all a bit strange!xx

The Fashionfairies must have been smiling on you when you snapped up that little bargain. I am very jealous, I have been stalking the ASOS cape but didn't buy it because it has now become very recognisable and I really like something a bit more unique.

Sympathies with the handbag dilemma. I hadn't even thought about it but it is def a big factor in whether to invest in a cape or not..... can i afford a cape and a personal bag carrier!? It all needs to go into the budget.

Great post. i love your blog and ave been lurking for-like ever! Thanks for the advice.

That is a gorgeous cape! The bag and cape dilemma is tough. I have tried a messenger style across the chest bag which is good except when you need to take it on and off frequently. Clutches or hand carried bags seem to work best with capes. Love the color of yours.

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